This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2006, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

No longer is New Year's Day the day we all hover around the TV, watch one bowl game after another and then with our bellies full of holiday leftovers and Christmas candy, we toast the end of the college football season.

Now, the bowl season is as bloated as a holiday feaster with 32 bowls stretched over nearly a month. The games start Tuesday with the Poinsettia Bowl and end Jan. 8 with the title game.

With so many games, even the most avid college football fans will have a hard time seeing them all. Some won't be worth your time, others are can't-miss matchups.

You know about Utah's and BYU's bowls, but what about the rest? In our own version of the 12 bowls of Christmas, here are the ones worth cluttering up your holiday calendars.

THE 12 BOWLS OF CHRISTMAS

The games you don't want to miss this season

TCU (10-2) vs. Northern Illinois (7-5)

This game is really only interesting because it's the first one. The Horned Frogs couldn't get it done in the regular season. As a reward they get a trip to San Diego and an easy opponent. Watch until halftime, then go start your Christmas shopping.

Troy (7-5) vs. Rice (7-5)

You wouldn't tune into this game on a normal college Saturday, but since this is being played the Friday before Christmas, chances are you're going to need a distraction from the visiting relatives who arrived hours earlier. One of Rice's biggest claims is its band, which is calls the MOB (Marching Owl Band). On that note, we're going with Troy.

Arizona State (7-5) vs. Hawaii (10-3)

Arizona State coach Dirk Koetter gets fired and goes to Hawaii. That route has worked for Hawaii coach June Jones. Watch his high-powered offense give Koetter a few parting shots.

FSU (6-6) vs. UCLA (7-5)

UCLA ends a season of disappointment with the upset of USC, so does that mean FSU's own frustrations are eased with the resignation of Bobby Bowden's son and a win over the Bruins? Highly unlikely.

Cal (9-3) vs. Texas A&M (9-3)

Both teams showed flashes of brilliance, then flashes of mediocrity. How could it be both teams played 12 games and it's still a guess what they'll bring to the field?

South Carolina (7-5) vs. Houston (10-3)

Spend your big Friday night camped in front of the TV, there are five games tonight and we're betting this is the most entertaining of the bunch. Rebuilding South Carolina's program hasn't given Steve Spurrier too many chances to pummel teams. This matchup will make his Christmas.

Virginia Tech (10-2) vs. Georgia (8-4)

Georgia's offense was almost nonexistent at times but freshman Matthew Stafford had a handle on it by season's end with wins over Auburn and Georgia Tech. Let's see how his memory is after the long break.

Wisconsin (11-1) vs. Arkansas (10-3)

Hogs made a lot of people believers in the end and Wisconsin is a team begging for some love. Wisconsin will have its heart stomped on again, this time by Darren McFadden.

Southern Cal (10-2) vs. Michigan (11-1)

For a coach who said he was content to let the system work, Michigan's Lloyd Carr sure has whined a lot since his team was leap-frogged by Florida for a spot in the title game. As for USC, its loss to rival UCLA will probably earn a special page in the Bruins' media guide for years to come.

Never mind the technical name or tradition of this bowl, this is the shoulda, woulda, coulda game.

Boise State (12-0) vs. Oklahoma (11-2)

The Broncos are the BCS busters and many observers out west believe the team has been underestimated. They get a chance to prove it, against an Oklahoma squad which benefits from the return of running back Adrian Peterson. He ran for 935 yards and scored 10 touchdowns in six games before breaking his collarbone and ending his Heisman hopes.

LSU (10-2) vs. Notre Dame (10-2)

Even with Florida in the title game, there are some who believe the Tigers are the best team in the SEC. Notre Dame always believes it's the best because, as we all know, it's Notre Dame. Brady Quinn gets his jersey dirty in this one.

Ohio State (12-0) vs. Florida (12-1)

Urban Meyer, Urban Meyer, why did you go? Because he can do at Florida what he couldn't do at Utah, which is win a championship. But it won't be this year.

Brady Quinn

Winconsin will have its hands full against Arkansas' Heisman finalist Darren McFadden in the Capitol One Bowl on Jan. 1.